I did hesitate over Taejongdae, wondering if it was worth the trip and effort to head there, especially with my parents in hand. Turned out to be a wonderful treat of the coastal line in Busan. The view was splendid and I recommend you to head out there if you have the time.

Take a Choo-Choo Train

Taejongdae is special because visitors have to ride on their internal Danubi Train to access different parts of the 'park'. Of course, if you have the time and stamina, you are most welcomed to walk along the pathway to the various stops, which, we spotted many locals taking it as a form of hiking activity.
So after purchasing your tickets, there is a Train No. indicated on the ticket in letting you know which number will be your turn to board. When your turn comes, it will be announced in Korean and you can just head over. Else, look out for the written broadbcast in English on the billboard.


Meanwhile, just sit around and wait for your turn to board. Turns out to be a pretty popular attraction. 

Where To Alight?

You can choose to get down to the Observation Deck ( whereby you can have the grand open sea view by the deck). Do it if you have time and alight first as you cannot do a roundabout if you missed the first stop. We didn't get off as my parents were tired.
Get off at the 2nd stop- Lighthouse, where the main highlight is. Taejongsa (temple) is the next stop and it makes it round back to the entrance.  There wasn't many who got down at the Temple stop and from the looks, you will have to scale up and down slopes and the temple doesn't seem to outstanding. You may give it a miss.

Heading To The Lighthouse

After getting off at the Lighthouse stop, we were slammed with more steps ( again) yes yes, steps and stairs are everywhere in Korea. 

I have to say again these steps will not be easy for the elderly, those with kneecap problems or arthritis. 

Pit-stop

After 3 to 4 huge segments of the steps, we came down to a pitstop whereby there are a few benches and visitors can overlook at the cliff and lighthouse.  By then my parents were crazily worn out and could not further head down ( aka more steps) to come into closer view with the symbolic red logo, the coastlines, bizarre-looking cliffs and all.

The steps can be quite daunting even for younger folks, so be prepared and wear comfortable shoes.
My folks really cute. Whatever the poses they were thinking of. 

Reaching the Coastline

I continued my way down and down. Had to take a look at the actual deal right?
When you do eventually reach the bottom, you will be greeted by wicked-looking cliffs and sparkling blue seas, with the wind blowing and huffing ferociously. 

Taejongdae is not the accommodation/resort park that we may relate to. Rather, it is more skewed towards a nature conservation park.
If you are still up for it, climb down ( more steps) near the sea where peddlers sell seafood and enjoy the fierce wind and chilly air.




Take the train back to the main square after you are done. Or walk if you can to complete your trip in this attraction.

How to Get There:

Alight at Nampo Station, Line 1, exit 6. Locate the nearest bus stops ( there are 2). In any case, there happens to be a tourist information counter just by the bus stops. Ask them if unsure.
The distance is too far and I suggest just taking the bus not a taxi. 

We took Bus 8 or 30 as it will be faster. Alight at the last stop ( everyone alights too)

When you alight you will see just rows of shops, but follow where most are heading to the north towards the entrance.




Once again before reaching the ticketing entrance, there is a 10 minutes slope you have to walk up after alighting at the bus stop.

Exiting:

Look out for the Bus Terminal, some 200 meters away from the Busan Tour Bus stop (which is just outside the entrance). Walk down those rows of shops, across the opposite direction from which you came from.

The bus terminal is where you can spot buses parked down with people standing around really. 

Take 8, 30 or 113 back to Nampo Station. 

Final Words

Taejongdae is extremely scenic and cold with the winds hurling. It is definitely not a place that international tour groups will come by ( more of local inbound groups possibly) as it takes too long and too cumbersome to hold big groups seeing the need to board trains, climb endless steps and all. Thus if you are there free-and-easy, this is definitely a great place to drop by.

UP NEXT ON BLOG: Places you can bring your older folks to in Busan, Korea.
Stay tuned~

http://taejongdae.bisco.or.kr/

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